Your doctor may instruct you to stop taking certain medications before angioplasty, particularly if you take certain diabetes medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners. Follow your doctor's instructions about adjusting your current medications.Your preparation may be different if you're already staying at the hospital before your procedure. You'll receive instructions on what you can or can't eat or drink before angioplasty. During this exam, contrast material (visible on X-rays) is injected into an artery to better see and examine the blood vessels. These exams provide highly detailed images of blood vessels by using either radiofrequency waves in a magnetic field or by using X-rays with contrast material. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or computerized tomography angiography (CTA).A scanner passes over the carotid artery to produce images using sound waves of the narrowed artery and of the blood flow to the brain. You may also have one or more of the following examinations: Usually this may cause a bruise, but sometimes serious bleeding occurs and may require a blood transfusion or surgical procedures.īefore a scheduled angioplasty, your doctor reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. You may have bleeding at the site in your groin or wrist where catheters were inserted. It's important to take aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) and other medications exactly as prescribed to decrease the chance of clots forming in your stent. Blood clots can form within stents even weeks or months after angioplasty. Medications are prescribed after the procedure to decrease the risk of restenosis. Special drug-coated stents have been developed to reduce the risk of restenosis. A major drawback of carotid angioplasty is the chance that your artery will narrow again within months of the procedure. New narrowing of the carotid artery (restenosis).You'll receive blood thinners during the procedure to reduce this risk.Ī stroke can also occur if plaque in your artery is dislodged when the catheters are being threaded through the blood vessels. During angioplasty, blood clots that may form can break loose and travel to your brain. Stroke or ministroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA). Here are some of the possible complications of carotid angioplasty and stenting: With any medical procedure, complications might happen.
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